Body size and age in three populations of the northern banded newt Ommatotriton ophryticus (Berthold, 1846) from Turkey

Abstract

We measured body size (snout-vent length, SVL) for three populations of Ommatotriton ophryticus newts in Turkey and estimated age using the skeletochronological method. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth in cross-sections taken from phalanges. SVL was similar among populations and ranged between 58.41 and 85.78 mm in males and 50.33 and 71.56 mm in females. Males were significantly larger than females in all populations. Age at maturity was 4-6 years in males and 5-6 years in females. The average age of males and females did not differ significantly. Maximum age ranged from 9 to 12 years in males and from 9 to 11 years in females. Positive correlation was found between SVL and age for both sexes in all populations. A significant difference was observed among populations in terms of both age and body size (6-, 7-, and 8-year-old age classes). The demographic traits of the studied populations are the result of the interaction of multiple factors, including altitude, geographical location, and ecological factors.

Hybrid zone analysis confirms cryptic species of banded newt and does not support competitive displacement since secondary contact

“…Lifetime dispersal distance (σ) was estimated, taking into account if individuals were in the pre-metamorphic or postmetamorphic stage (because only the latter have had the opportunity to disperse). A mean recombination rate of 0.5 (Baldassarre et al, 2014;Caeiro Dias et al, 2022), a generation time of 5 years (Baskale et al, 2013;Kutrup et al, 2005;Özcan & Üzüm, 2015) and initial secondary contact at 12 Ka (corresponding to the onset of the Holocene; Elmas, 2003) were used as input values.…”

Age and Body Size Comparison of the Turkish Smooth Newt, Lissotriton schmidtleri (Raxworthy, 1988) (Amphibia: Urodela) Populations from Two Different Altitudes

“…Her iki populasyon için de erkeklerde (Efes için r = 0.693, p = 0.000 ve Karagöl için r = 0.740, p = 0.000) ve dişilerde (Efes için r = 0.643, p = 0.010 ve Karagöl için r = 0.893, p = 0.000) yaş ile SVL arasında anlamlı pozitif bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Literatürdeki su semenderleri ile yapılan bazı çalışmalarda olduğu gibi popülasyonların yaş kompozisyonlarını tahmin etmek için iskelet kronolojisi yöntemi başarılı bir şekilde uygulanmıştır (Cogalniceanu & Miaud, 2002;Olgun et al, 2005;Altunışık et al, 2014;Gümüş Özcan & Üzüm, 2015;Altunışık, 2018a;Özyılmaz & Başkale, 2021).…”